Link bracelet construction, particularly watch bracelet

ABSTRACT

To permit the use of links which are uniformly constructed, regardless of width of the bracelet, inner and outer elements are so formed that the inner elements are essentially flat, platelike structures having one transverse edge notched out, the notch, adjacent the edge, terminating in inwardly pointed hinge pin stubs, and the outward elements are sheet-like bent over to retain the inner element having, further, formed a bent-over ear fitting in the notch of the inner element and engaging around the hinge pin stubs. Closure link elements and connecting elements, for example to connect the links to a watch pin, are similarly formed with inwardly pointing hinge stubs adjacent a notch or, respectively, a bent-over ear to fit around the pin stubs.

[ Dec. 9, 1975 LINK BRACELET CONSTRUCTION,

PARTICULARLY WATCH BRACELET Fritz Biirkle, Jr., Schwann, Germany [73] Assignee: Fir-ma Fritz Biirkle KG, Schwann,

Germany 22 Filed: May 20,1974

21 Appl. No.: 471,666

[75] Inventor:

[52] US. Cl 63/4; 24/265 WS; 24/265 SC;

59/80; 63/5; 224/4 E; 224/4 H [51] Int. C1. F16G 13/18 [58] Field of Search 59/80, 82, 79 R, 79 B,

59/91; 63/4, 3, 5; 224/4 E, 4 D, 4 H; 24/265 H, 265 WS,.265 SC Wnmllccmcc Meng 59/80 lchinose 59/80 Primary ExaminerC. W. Lanham Assistant ExaminerGene P. Crosby Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Flynn & Frishauf [57] ABSTRACT To permit the use of links which are uniformly constructed, regardless of width of the bracelet, inner and outer elements are so formed that the inner elements are essentially flat, plate-like structures having one transverse edge notched out, the notch, adjacent the edge, terminating in inwardly pointed hinge pin stubs, and the outward elements are sheet-like bent over to retain the inner element having, further, formed a bent-over ear fitting in the notch of the inner element and engaging around the hinge pin stubs. Closure link elements and connecting elements, for example to connect the links to a watch pin, are similarly formed with inwardly pointing hinge stubs adjacent a notch or, respectively, a bent-over ear to fit around the pin stubs.

10 Claims, 20 Drawing Figures US. Pamnt Dec. 9 1975 Sheet 1 of4 3,924,418

11. mm M51975 sheetzom 3,924,18

Fig.9

Fig.5 Fig.7 Fig.

US. atsnt Dec. 9 1975 Sheet 3 of4 3,924,418

US. Patent Dec. 9 1975 Sheet 4 of 4 3,924,418

LINK BRACELET CONSTRUCTION, PARTICULARLY WATCI-I BRACELET The present invention relates to a link bracelet construction, and more particularly to such a link bracelet which can be used as a watch bracelet, in which the links are hinged together, the construction being so arranged that the width of the individual link elements can be determined independently of their construction and, for example, after assembly of the link elements together.

Various types of link bracelets have been proposed; the engagement of the links, with each other, was usually carried out at the outer edges of the links so that the width of the links could not be changed after the bracelet has been assembled, or the individual links had been made.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a link bracelet in which the width of the link is independent of the engagement arrangement of the respective links with each other, so that the links, or the assembled link bracelet, can be cut to a desired width by a suitable stamping or cutting apparatus. The link bracelet so made should, further, be so constructed that the various links of the bracelet can be made essentially automatically, and can be assembled easily and inexpensively. I

SUBJECT MATTER OF THE PRESENT INVENTION Briefly, each of the links is formed of two elements, an inner and an outer element; the inner element is an essentially flat, plate-like strip which, at one transverse side, is formed with a notch. The outer edges of the notch, adjacent the transverse side, are formed with inwardly pointing, projecting hinge pin stubs. The outer element is formed with a bent-over ear of such width that it fits into the notch, and canbe bent around the hinge pin stubs, to be engaged by the pin stubs and thereby be linked to the inner element of an adjacent link. The outer element is, further, formed with a notch to receive the bent-over ear of an adjacent link, through which the inwardly pointing, extending hinge pin stubs extend.

The link construction, in which hinge pin stubs extend towards each other, inwardly of the links, is so arranged that the entire linking connection is located substantially centrally of the link element. This arrangement then permits cutting a completed, assembled bracelet to any desired shape, or width, by a suitable cutting or punching tool. The inner element of the link bracelet is a simple punch part which can be made at low cost. The outer element can also be punched and bent, thus can be manufactured inexpensively. The interengagement of the links is so arranged that the assembly of the entire bracelet is simple and rapid.

The bracelet construction may be used for watch bands; the terminal link then is so formed that it includes a bent-over hook-like element to engage around the hinge pin of a watch, rather than an extending ear to engage around the pin stubs of an adjacent link. The connecting terminal link for a watch thus can be made simply, and the connection arrangement with an adjacent link is similar to that of all the other links.

The bracelet can be made in two parts, so that it can be opened and closed. To provide a simple closure, a connecting link is formed which, again, provides for interengagement of the stubs around an ear; the other end of this link is, however, formed with a hook-shaped free end which can hook into the notch of any other link of the other part of the link bracelet. This arrangement then avoids the necessity to remove, or add links if the bracelet is to be shortened or lengthened. It is only necessary to insert the extending hook in the proper notch opening required for the necessary length of the entire bracelet.

The invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of the link bracelet;

FIG. 2 is a top view;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an outer link element;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an inner link element;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the back or inner side of the bracelet, partly in section and partly broken away;

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the link bracelet;

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal section along line VIIVII of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a section along line VIIIVIII of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a top view of the bracelet, to an enlarged scale;

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of a watch connecting element;

FIG. 11 is a side view of the element of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 shows the connection of an element of FIG. 10 with a terminal link element;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a connecting lock element;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the top lock element;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a spring to urge the top lock element of FIG. 14 into locking, or completely unlocked position;

FIG. 16 is a top view of the bracelet showing a locking connection;

FIG. 17 is a longitudinal section through the bracelet, showing the locking connection;

FIG. 18 is a side view of the lock connection, with the lock closed;

FIG. 19 is a view similar to FIG. 18, with the lock connection open; and

FIG. 20 is a bottom view of the lock connection, with three links.

Each one of the links of the bracelet, shown as a watch band (FIG. 1) has a flat inner part or inner element 1 (FIG. 4), and an outer element 2 (FIG. 3) within which the inner element 1 is received. One of the transverse sides 3 of the inner element 1 is formed with a notch 4, the notch 4, at the terminal edge adjacent the side 3, being constricted by inwardly projecting, or inwardly facing pin stubs 5, forming hinge stubs. The inner portion 1 is formed with a projecting lip 7 at the side 6 opposite side 3.

The outer part 2 (FIG. 3) has one of its sides notched, as seen at 8, the remaining side portions 9 adjacent the notch 8 being bentover in U-shape. A space is left between the bent-over legs of the U to locate an inner element 1 therein. The other side of element 2 is formed with a bent-over car 10, of such width that it can fit in the notch 8, or notch 4 of the inner part I, respectively, but around the pin stubs 5 of the inner part 1. The projecting lip 7 fits inside the bent-over ear 10 of the outer part 2.

The entire link bracelet is formed by assembling an inner part 1 by pushing it sideways into an outer part 2, thus forming one composite link. The bent-over ear l0 of the outer part 2 of an adjacent link is then slipped over the hinge pin stubs 5, and into notch 4 of the inner part of the adjacent link, thereby connecting adjacent links together. Thereafter, the bent-over ears 10 of the outer parts are fitted flat against the inner part 1, particularly against the projecting lip 7, so that the individual links are securely connected, but still can move relative to each other, the bent-over ears l pivoting about the inwardly projecting pin stubs of an adjacent link.

If the bracelet is to be used as a watch band, a terminal watch connecting link 11 (FIGS. 10, 11, 12) is used. The link 11 is formed with the customary hinge element 12, to engage around the watch pins of a watch case. The other side of the watch connecting link 12 is formed with a bent-over ear 110 which engages around the inwardly projecting stubs 5 of the inner part 1 of an adjacent link. The bent-over ear 110 may be fitted by bending against the inner part 1 of an adjacent link.

If the bracelet is to be an open bracelet, a connecting element is used. The last standard link of the bracelet has a connecting part 13 (FIG. 13) connected thereto. This connecting part 13 is formed with a hook-shaped free end 14. This hook-shaped free end 14 has a width which is just slightly narrower than the notches 4, 8, respectively, of the inner parts 1 and the outer parts 2 of a standard link, so that the free hook 14 can engage in the opening fonned by these notches of the other end of the bracelet, or a second part thereof if a two-element watch band is being made by the bracelet construction. The connecting element 13 is formed with a notch 15 at the end remote from the hook-shaped end 14; the notch 15, at its terminal ends, is formed with inwardly pointing projecting pin stubs 16, similar to the pin stubs 5 of the inner link 1 (FIG. 4). These pin stubs 15 are engaged by the bent-over ear of an outer part 2 of an adjacent standard link. The length of the connecting element 13 is so selected that it passes through the adjacent outer part 2a of a standard link (FIGS. 17-19). The bent-over ear 10 of the next subsequent standard outer part 2, following outer part 2a, engages around the inwardly projecting pin stubs 16 of connecting element 13 (see FIGS. 18, 19). A top lock element 17 (FIGS. 14; 17-19) is located above the connecting element 13. The top lock element 17 is formed in the shape of a flap which can pivot between an open position and a closed position. In the closed position, the free hook-shaped end 18 of the locking cover 17 engages around the hook-shape end 14 of the connecting element 13 (compare FIGS. 18, 19). The top lock element 17 is formed at the side opposite the free end 18 with a notch 19 (FIG. 14). A pair of inwardly projecting pin stubs 20 are formed adjacent the free edge, not exactly at the end but slightly inwardly offset from the transverse side in which the notch 19 is formed. Due to the inward offset, the sides 21 of the top cover 17 will extend as small wing elements 22. These wing elements resiliently engage the top of the connecting element 13 when the locking cover 17 is opened (see FIG. 19). The resilient engagement of the wings 22 of the side portions 21 of the top lock element 17 is obtained by slight bending of the upper portion 26 of the terminal link 2a (FIGS. 17-19), to which the lock cover 17 is linked, when the lock cover is opened by a prying action of the wings 22. The terminal outer portion 2a, being thereby resiliently deformed, will have the tendency to return to its original position. This resilient action can be enhanced by the addition of a flat spring 23 (FIG.

Spring 23 is preferably a leaf spring, and located beneath the connecting element 13, tending to bias the connecting element 13 upwardly. Spring 23 is formed with a notch 24, with projecting ends 25 at the terminal portion of the notch, the ends 25 forming pin stubs engaging beneath the pin stubs 16 of the connecting portions 13 and being held in position by the bent-over ear 10 of the subsequent adjacent outer part 2 of the bracelet itself.

The top flat or top cover 17, when closed, engages with its hook-shaped free end 18 over the free hookshaped end 14 of the connecting element 13. The engagement of the hook-shaped end 14 of the connecting element 13 with the respective bracelet link is thus ensured. The hook-shaped end 18 of the top lock cover 17 is held in its closed position by resilient engagement of the upper legs 26 of the last outer part 2a, and tends to remain in closed, normal position. The spring 23 further assists in maintaining the top lock cover in closed position and opposes deformation or deflection of the connecting element 13 by the ends 22 of the top cover lock element 17.

Various changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the inventive concept.

I claim: 1. Link bracelet construction comprising an inner element 1 and an outer element 2, the inner element 1 being essentially flat and platelike and having one transverse edge 3 formed with a notch 4, and inwardly extending hinge pin stubs 5 adjacent said one transverse edge 3;

the outer element 2 being sheet-like and having a bent-over ear 10 at one transverse side, the ear 10 having a width fitting into the notch 4 of an inner element 1 and engaging around the hinge pin stubs 5 to provide a link connection between the inner and outer elements of adjacent links at one side thereof, the outer element being formed with a notch 8 at the side thereof opposite the side at which the ear 10 is formed to receive the bent-over ear of an adjacent outer element, portions of the outer element adjacent said notch 8 forming flaps, said flaps being bent-over in U- configuration to form a slot between the legs of the U, the inner element 1 being located in said slot formed by said flaps; and

a connecting element 16--19; 13, said connecting element 13 having a hook-shaped free end 14 and a width less than the width of the notches 4, 8 in the inner and outer elements 1, 2 to permit engagement thereof and hooking over said inner and outer elements.

2. Construction according to claim 1, wherein the inner element 1 is formed with a projection 7 extending from the side 6 opposite the notch 4, said projection 7 fitting within the bent-over ear 10.

3. Construction according to claim 1, wherein the inner elements of the bracelet have the same width, and the outer elements of the bracelet have the same width.

4. Construction according to claim 1 wherein the lateral surfaces bounding the inner elements, and the lateral surfaces bounding the outer elements of the bracelet are punched, cut surfaces, the cut surfaces of at least one of the elements of the bracelet having different widths.

5. Construction according to claim 1, wherein the connecting element 13 is formed with a notch 15 at the side opposite the hook-shaped free end 14, said notch being bounded by inwardly pointing hinge pin stubs 16 similar to the hinge pin stubs 5 on the inner element 1, said inwardly pointing hinge pin stubs 16 being engaged by the bent-over ear of the outer element 2 of an adjacent link.

6. Construction according to claim 5, further comprising a pivotable lock cover member 17 located above the connecting element 13 having a hook-shaped end 18 at one side thereof, fitting around the hookshaped free end 14 of the connecting element 13;

a notch 19 formed at the side remote from said hookshaped end 18, said notch being bounded by inwardly projecting hinge pin stubs 20, said hinge pin stubs 20 being pivotally received within the bentover ear 10 of an adjacent outer element 2a.

7. Construction according to claim 5, wherein the connecting element 13 has a length sufficient to extend through and beyond an adjacent outer element 2a to the bent-over ear 10 of a subsequent adjacent link element, said bent-over ear 10 of the subsequent adjacent link element engaging the inwardly pointing hinge pin stubs 16, the connecting element 13 being received in the adjacent outer element 2a, whereby said connecting element will be received in lieu of an inner element in the adjacent outer element 2a.

8. Construction according to claim 7, further comprising a pivotable lock cover member 17 located above the connecting element 13 having a hook-shaped end 18 at one side thereof, fitting around the hookshaped free end 14 of the connecting element 13;

a notch 19 formed at the side remote from said hookshaped end 18, said notch being bounded by inwardly projecting hinge pin stubs 20, said hinge pin stubs 20 being pivotally received within the bentover ear 10 of the adjacent outer element 2a;

said cover lock member 17 being formed with lateral wing portions 21 adjacent the notch 19 formed therein and extending beyond the constriction of the notch 19 formed by said inwardly projecting hinge pin stubs 20 to provide resilient bearing engagement of said lateral wing portions 21 with the top of the connecting element 13 therebeneath and maintain the lock cover member 17 in raised, or overlying position with respect to the connecting element 13 therebeneath.

9. Construction according to claim 8, further comprising spring means 23 located to resiliently bias the connecting element 13 towards the lock cover member 17.

10. Construction according to claim 9, wherein the spring means comprises a leaf spring 23 located beneath the connecting element 13 and formed at one lateral side thereof with a notch 24, said notch 24 being bounded by inwardly projecting hinge pin stubs 25 similar to the hinge pin stubs 5 on the inner element 1, said inwardly projecting hinge pin stubs 25 being located beneath the hinge pin stubs 16 of the connecting element 13 and being engaged by the bent-over ear 10 of the subsequent adjacent outer element 2. 

1. Link bracelet construction comprising an inner element 1 and an outer element 2, the inner element 1 being essentially flat and platelike and having one transverse edge 3 formed with a notch 4, and inwardly extending hinge pin stubs 5 adjacent said one transverse edge 3; the outer element 2 being sheet-like and having a bent-over ear 10 at one transverse side, the ear 10 having a width fitting into the notch 4 of an inner element 1 and engaging around the hinge pin stubs 5 to provide a link connection between the inner and outer elements of adjacent links at one side thereof, the outer element being formed with a notch 8 at the side thereof opposite the side at which the ear 10 is formed to receive the bent-over ear of an adjacent outer element, portions of the outer element adjacent said notch 8 forming flaps, said flaps being bent-over in U- configuration to form a slot between the legs of the U, the inner element 1 being located in said slot formed by said flaps; and a connecting element 16-19; 13, said connecting element 13 having a hook-shaped free end 14 and a width less than the width of the notches 4, 8 in the inner and outer elements 1, 2 to permit engagement thereof and hooking over said inner and outer elements.
 2. Construction according to claim 1, wherein the inner element 1 is formed with a projection 7 extending from the side 6 opposite the notch 4, said projection 7 fitting within the bent-over ear
 10. 3. Construction according to claim 1, wherein the inner elements of the bracelet have the same width, and the outer elements of the bracelet have the same width.
 4. Construction according to claim 1, wherein the lateral surfaces bounding the inner elements, and the lateral surfaces bounding the outer elements of the bracelet are punched, cut surfaces, the cut surfaces of at least one of the elements of the bracelet having different widths.
 5. Construction according to claim 1, wherein the connecting element 13 is formed with a notch 15 at the side opposite the hook-shaped free end 14, said notch being bounded by inwardly pointing hinge pin stubs 16 similar to the hinge pin stubs 5 on the inner element 1, said inwardly pointing hinge pin stubs 16 being engaged by the bent-over ear 10 of the outer element 2 of an adjacent link.
 6. Construction according to claim 5, further comprising a pivotable lock cover member 17 located above the connecting element 13 having a hook-shaped end 18 at one side thereof, fitting around the hook-shaped free end 14 of the connecting element 13; a notch 19 formed at the side remote from said hook-shaped end 18, said notch being bounded by inwardly projecting hinge pin stubs 20, said hinge pin stubs 20 being pivotally received within the bent-over ear 10 of an adjacent outer element 2a.
 7. Construction according to claim 5, wherein the connecting element 13 has a length sufficient to extend through and beyond an adjacent outer element 2a to the bent-over ear 10 of a subsequent adjacent link element, said bent-over ear 10 of the subsequent adjacent link element engaging the inwardly pointing hinge pin stubs 16, the connecting element 13 being receIved in the adjacent outer element 2a, whereby said connecting element will be received in lieu of an inner element in the adjacent outer element 2a.
 8. Construction according to claim 7, further comprising a pivotable lock cover member 17 located above the connecting element 13 having a hook-shaped end 18 at one side thereof, fitting around the hook-shaped free end 14 of the connecting element 13; a notch 19 formed at the side remote from said hook-shaped end 18, said notch being bounded by inwardly projecting hinge pin stubs 20, said hinge pin stubs 20 being pivotally received within the bent-over ear 10 of the adjacent outer element 2a; said cover lock member 17 being formed with lateral wing portions 21 adjacent the notch 19 formed therein and extending beyond the constriction of the notch 19 formed by said inwardly projecting hinge pin stubs 20 to provide resilient bearing engagement of said lateral wing portions 21 with the top of the connecting element 13 therebeneath and maintain the lock cover member 17 in raised, or overlying position with respect to the connecting element 13 therebeneath.
 9. Construction according to claim 8, further comprising spring means 23 located to resiliently bias the connecting element 13 towards the lock cover member
 17. 10. Construction according to claim 9, wherein the spring means comprises a leaf spring 23 located beneath the connecting element 13 and formed at one lateral side thereof with a notch 24, said notch 24 being bounded by inwardly projecting hinge pin stubs 25 similar to the hinge pin stubs 5 on the inner element 1, said inwardly projecting hinge pin stubs 25 being located beneath the hinge pin stubs 16 of the connecting element 13 and being engaged by the bent-over ear 10 of the subsequent adjacent outer element
 2. 